Federal Jury Convicts Housing Official of Taking Tenant Bribes
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SAN FRANCISCO — A federal jury convicted a top San Francisco housing official Wednesday of taking tens of thousands of dollars in bribes as part of a scheme that netted 22 people for falsely obtaining low-income housing.
San Francisco Housing Authority Manager Patricia Williams, 57, was convicted on 30 felony counts of conspiracy, bribery and making false statements after an 18-month probe by federal agents into a scheme that involved at least two city officials.
The jury, however, failed to reach a decision on 12 felony counts and acquitted Williams on seven charges of accepting bribes and lying to federal authorities.
Williams was accused of taking about $36,000 in bribes and conspiring with others, including former housing official Yolanda Jones, to sell tenants access to public housing units and Section 8 low-income rental vouchers.
Jones pleaded guilty to 10 felonies in connection with the scheme and testified against Williams.
Williams potentially faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.
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